Korean Job Discussion Forums

[guangho]

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200509/200509050020.html

Ministry Adds Violent, Troubled Teachers to 'Unfit' List

The Education Ministry on Monday invited fresh wrath from educators when it finalized its definition of ��unfit teachers�� who are for the chop. The list now includes teachers with a chronic propensity to violence or nervous or physical disorders that make them incapable of performing their duties. They are to be weeded out starting this month. The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations (KFTA) and Korean Teachers and Educational Workers' Union (KTU) were quick to protest. "The measures against unfit teachers will cause unnecessary popular hostility and tensions within schools, and damage the morale of teachers by undermining their authority," they said in a statement Monday.

The ministry earlier said it would fire teachers who leak exam questions, manufacture grades, commit sexual offenses or take bribes. At the request of parents�� groups, it has now added violent and troubled instructors to the list.

The ministry defines habitual violence as "grave and serious physical assault against students that goes beyond the accepted educational limit," but draws a distinction between habitual violence and legitimate punishment. But in reality there are bound to be conflicts between parents and students who view particular acts as violence and teachers who see them as legitimate punishment.

The nervous and physical disorders include severe depression, personality, panic, adjustment and mood disorders, schizophrenia, drug and alcohol addiction, Alzheimer��s disease and paralysis. Sufferers would be given sick leave and other temporary leaves of absence to seek treatment and then be re-evaluated before a decision is made whether to keep them on.

To ensure objectivity and avoid vengeful accusations, the ministry plans to form screening committees with the participation of parents' groups, teachers' groups, lawyers, doctors and regional officials.

Vice Education Minister Kim Young-shik said laying off a minority of problematic teachers was unavoidable to protect the majority of devoted teachers diligently going about their business and to create schools trusted by parents.

([email protected] )

[JongnoGuru]

[rok_the-boat]

How many will be left?

[joe_doufu]

Manufacture grades? You mean like increasing some students' scores because it reflects badly on the school if its students don't get mostly A's? I guess they'll be cutting principals and superintendents, too.